Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-01-20
SAVED BY HER DOLL.


became Useful.
Elsie had no mother, only a teasing
brother Bert, three years her senior.
and father, who went here and there
about his fields, ard took little heed
of his small six-year-old daughter.
One other friend she had, friend who,
with her mute, untold sympathy. had
stolen into 4 warm corner of the small
maiden's heart, and that was the Lady
-Anne-a most beautiful. almost life
size. imitation Of fine lady. made up
of dainty wax and furbelOws. and sent
to her direct from London by Elsie's
cousin Mabel. Oh! how she loved it,
but Bert scoffed at it. or rather her, for
this grand, titled lady was living.
feeling thing to her wee ''mamma. :"
And how many times Patty. their one
servant, had TO rescue her from all sorts
of perilous situations, all the work of
Master Bert.
On the morning when that began
which forms our story, along came the
tricksy lad, the Lady ALne in his arms,
as Elsie stood with Patty, feeding the
fowls.
1.-The Lady Anne is going for sail.
Elsie" said he. jauntily. and hugging
the dainty thing to him with a boys
clumsiness.
''Oh, she's notr' cried Elsie. with
warmth: '.you know the water never
agrees with hcr-she'll be sea-sick."
'.River-sick, you mean, old lady, but
what of that? She'll have to get over
that Cockncy weakness. So here goes"
and the prankish boy passed on, laugh
ing the while over his shoulder.
But Elsie was too quick for him; she
made dart, and rescued her darling,
pressing her to her motherly little heart
with half amused defiance.
'.Phew! I'd not be girl, or her doll
either, for ever so much," said he, with
boyish scorn.
you'll never be any thing half so
good" cried Elsie. laughing in her
sleeve over her recovered treasure.
You're right there, Miss Elsie"
agreed Patty. "Boys as leases little
girls are never of much account"
"Uncle Bert is monster, loYic. is he
not? And you are tired, aren't you.
after such fright?'
SO the small girl crooned over the
Lady Anne, trotting away with her to
the house; and Bert heard her words.
Nav, he stole after her with cat-like
footsteps, and saw where she laid her
to sleep. as she termed it, saw her
touch the magic string which closed the
ready eyes; aye, he saw it all-even-
the tender kiss she pressed on the lips
of the sleeping beauty-and chuckled a
boyish chuckle rs he crcpt away. Here
and there went Elsie, while her nurS-
ling slept. and anon it was afternoon.
and she CHANGED to be on the outskirts
of wood at the back of her fathers
house. full of pitfalls and dangers to
unwary feet, so it was said. From here
emerged Master Bert, with very COM
zeal face.
''Tve taken the Lady Anne for change
of air, dear madam" was his greeting
to his small sister.
"What? Where? Who?" asked she.
all startled and ruffled. like some ten
der, timid mother dove.
..Well done! three jerky questions in
three words" laughed Bert.
"Well, tell me. you know what !
mean." cried Elsie.
'.Well, then, to question number one.
I've transported your Cockney friend;
secondly. into the heart of the forest
where. you'll find out; thirtlly-but
there is no need to 60 into the thirdly y
This was all the information he would
give, and walked on with the air of a
judge.
Tramp ,rted! the Lady Anne trans
ported, when her small .'mamma'
thought her snug and warm in her cot
mp stairs. All! who can understand the
heart Of little child? With q bitter
cry Elsie dartcd away, into the tangle,
the gloom. the mystery Of the wood.
Timid and startled rs the wee hsres
which sprang across her path. the child
advanced. Now heavy tramp made
her quake, and a tall. burly game
keeper met her,
well, little One. where are you 60.
ing?" asked he, kindly enough. cycling
her from his giant height
please, sir, have you seen a doll, OF
met one?" was the silveTy little ques.
-tion in response.
No. dear; have you lost such 8
ereature?" smiled the man.
.-Oh! 'tisn't creature. but dear
little darling girl. and she's transport
ed" replied Elsie.
Transported! Who transported
-heri''